For those of who want to be at the top of their game physically, I believe it is important to periodically test yourself to see where you're at, meaning, what kind of condition are you in right now? With each sport there are specific ways of gauging your fitness. With running, I sometimes run 2 miles or a 5k, not all out but definitely at what I feel is 3/4's effort. I believe running all out is something you do when you are physically ready to do so. Presently, I'm not in that kind of condition but I want to see how I feel 'working it' as they say. Another important side benefit to this practice is that doing these workouts strengthen you mentally. I remember when I used to run a 3.3 mile time trial with Ralph Zimmerman over a very hilly challenging course at Chestnut Ridge, I felt the kind of anxiety and adrenaline rush that I would get before a race. This workout prepared me mentally and physically for racing like no other.
At the end of September I may actually try racing a 5k that is heavy on trail and hill work.
All the above makes me think---who was it that said that 'an ideal life is one that has many challenges.' Maybe Yiannis--I can't recall at the moment although I do love his quote---'hear many,say little.'
I think I'll run down yesterday's workout since I got in so late---a 25 minute run over the sand at 2/3's speed followed by swimming after. Today will be much the same except the run will be easier and 10 minutes longer.
What have you got planned?
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
On Adversity
"Adversity introduces a man to himself." ~Author Unknown.
Challenges that we face along the way in our quest to be at the top of our game mentally and physically ultimately test one's character and resolve.
Bear with me till Saturday when things should be back to normal. More on this tomorrow.
Monday, August 5, 2013
The Often Forgotten Organ in the Aging Process
There's nothing sadder than someone who can't accept that the reality of the aging process
We should maintain peak physical condition as we age but that some adjustments have to be made along the way. I intend to do a post on that sometime next week.
For years I have seen people well into their 'senior' years do impressive physical things in an attempt to deal (delay?) with the aging process.
Readers to my Live For The Run blog recall that I stressed the absolute necessity of working the mind(brain)---consider the following from 'Nature', a British science journal:
"The degree of mental activity has a great effect on the aging of nerve cells. Time and again we have noted how the destruction of nerve cells which normally stimulate other nerve cells leads to the premature aging of the latter. On the other hand, the aging of nerve tissue is delayed by the normal activity of the nerve cells...in particularly active individuals the aging of certain ganglion cells is delayed. Great mental activity can bring about the growth of new nerve tissue in brains which long seemed to be mature. From this we learn that the brain,unlike other organs of the body, does not wear out with use. On the contrary, the more we use our brains the less tendency they have to grow old prematurely."
The above is one big reason why television is such a danger to your brain,it does very,very little in stimulating your brain the way it should be stimulated.
Read books,play chess and other board games with your friends and family; take courses, learn another language, do anything that not only stimulates your brain but makes you more interesting as a person.
Worked hard today, lots of lifting, on my feet for 7 hours, did stretching after.
More time with family tomorrow at Carolina Beach, plan to run and swim ala Cerutty style, all I need are some decent sand dunes.
What did you do today?
We should maintain peak physical condition as we age but that some adjustments have to be made along the way. I intend to do a post on that sometime next week.
For years I have seen people well into their 'senior' years do impressive physical things in an attempt to deal (delay?) with the aging process.
Readers to my Live For The Run blog recall that I stressed the absolute necessity of working the mind(brain)---consider the following from 'Nature', a British science journal:
"The degree of mental activity has a great effect on the aging of nerve cells. Time and again we have noted how the destruction of nerve cells which normally stimulate other nerve cells leads to the premature aging of the latter. On the other hand, the aging of nerve tissue is delayed by the normal activity of the nerve cells...in particularly active individuals the aging of certain ganglion cells is delayed. Great mental activity can bring about the growth of new nerve tissue in brains which long seemed to be mature. From this we learn that the brain,unlike other organs of the body, does not wear out with use. On the contrary, the more we use our brains the less tendency they have to grow old prematurely."
The above is one big reason why television is such a danger to your brain,it does very,very little in stimulating your brain the way it should be stimulated.
Read books,play chess and other board games with your friends and family; take courses, learn another language, do anything that not only stimulates your brain but makes you more interesting as a person.
Worked hard today, lots of lifting, on my feet for 7 hours, did stretching after.
More time with family tomorrow at Carolina Beach, plan to run and swim ala Cerutty style, all I need are some decent sand dunes.
What did you do today?
Sunday, August 4, 2013
It's All About Perception and Values
Family is down from Buffalo so posting has been difficult to fit in but I wanted to leave something to think about each day. Consider this from Thoreau--written over 150 years ago, it is still relevant in the 21th century.
"If a man walk in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer; but if he spends his whole day as a speculator, shearing off these woods and making earth bald before her time, he is esteemed an industrious and enterprising citizen."
To that I add:
"You pave paradise, put up a parking lot."
Enough with the needless destruction of our land, forests and natural habitat.
25 minute tempo run on the beach, really had a feeling I had worked it when I was done--swimming and stretching after. Just a great feeling after.
So, what did you do today?
"If a man walk in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer; but if he spends his whole day as a speculator, shearing off these woods and making earth bald before her time, he is esteemed an industrious and enterprising citizen."
To that I add:
"You pave paradise, put up a parking lot."
Enough with the needless destruction of our land, forests and natural habitat.
25 minute tempo run on the beach, really had a feeling I had worked it when I was done--swimming and stretching after. Just a great feeling after.
So, what did you do today?
Saturday, August 3, 2013
If Needed--Change Your Way of Thinking
As the new week is about to begin, this may be advice some of us need to follow ----Free your mind of remembrances of old disappointment as well as thoughts of spite, revenge, criticism, and the condemnation of yourself and others. Stop brooding over failure, leave behind the self-pity,the rehashing of old troubles and the morbid lingering of thoughts concerning injury or death.
These are the negative thoughts that blight the personality and lessen the potential of any life.
So true!
A great day today---an hour walk at the ocean with swimming.
What did you do?
These are the negative thoughts that blight the personality and lessen the potential of any life.
So true!
A great day today---an hour walk at the ocean with swimming.
What did you do?
Friday, August 2, 2013
Success is Not Always Determined by Where You Finish
I recall an era a long time ago when track and field was a high profile sport in the U.S. I became involved in running and racing because of what I saw and read about the sport when I was young. Unfortunately, running is no longer a high profile sport. Track and Field gets minimal coverage these days. The public's interest has now shifted to pro sports like basketball, baseball and football.
What follows is an attempt to describe an often forgotten aspect of sports and athletic competition plus reaffirm the fact that winning, unlike what everyone seems to believe, is not the be all, end all of competition.
I've observed, and come to the conclusion, that U.S. fans no longer possess any kind of aptitude into what middle and long distance racing are all about. I believe they once understood that it is not the nature of competitive running for someone to win everytime out, and more importantly, that even the greatest of runners will lose on occasion. Now, in sports like football, hockey, baseball and basketball there is always a clear winner, someone comes in first, someone loses. I remember when Alberto Salazar was the world's best marathoner and won most of the races he entered. Then one time he came in 5th at a marathon overseas against the world's best distance runners. The overall response to this finish by the general public, press, and even some U.S. running magazines, was that he had failed. I believe I picked up a similar reaction when Frank Shorter came in second at the 1976 Olympic marathon. Again,the, 'if you don't come in first you're a loser' mentality doesn't apply to distance running or many other athletic contests either.
Consequently,it is not surprising that in recent years people have now become so outcome oriented in their view of personal competition that they lose sight of something very important about competition. It is not all about winning or the personal records that you may set, but as Kenny Moore wrote, it's"in knowing that you learned how to be brave and to do something better than you first thought you could."
I would add to that--knowing that you committed,disciplined and focused yourself in a way you probably never thought you could--and---- irregardless of how you finished --- you derived great pleasure and satisfaction from the whole process.
Don't lose sight of that truth.
Tough work day---stretched before and after.
What did you do?
What follows is an attempt to describe an often forgotten aspect of sports and athletic competition plus reaffirm the fact that winning, unlike what everyone seems to believe, is not the be all, end all of competition.
I've observed, and come to the conclusion, that U.S. fans no longer possess any kind of aptitude into what middle and long distance racing are all about. I believe they once understood that it is not the nature of competitive running for someone to win everytime out, and more importantly, that even the greatest of runners will lose on occasion. Now, in sports like football, hockey, baseball and basketball there is always a clear winner, someone comes in first, someone loses. I remember when Alberto Salazar was the world's best marathoner and won most of the races he entered. Then one time he came in 5th at a marathon overseas against the world's best distance runners. The overall response to this finish by the general public, press, and even some U.S. running magazines, was that he had failed. I believe I picked up a similar reaction when Frank Shorter came in second at the 1976 Olympic marathon. Again,the, 'if you don't come in first you're a loser' mentality doesn't apply to distance running or many other athletic contests either.
Consequently,it is not surprising that in recent years people have now become so outcome oriented in their view of personal competition that they lose sight of something very important about competition. It is not all about winning or the personal records that you may set, but as Kenny Moore wrote, it's"in knowing that you learned how to be brave and to do something better than you first thought you could."
I would add to that--knowing that you committed,disciplined and focused yourself in a way you probably never thought you could--and---- irregardless of how you finished --- you derived great pleasure and satisfaction from the whole process.
Don't lose sight of that truth.
Tough work day---stretched before and after.
What did you do?
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Beware of Pharmaceuticals
Another title I was considering for today's post was beware of drugs but I didn't want to give the impression that I was talking about the illicit ones like marijuana, cocaine, crack, etc.
No, I'm referring to prescribed and over the counter drugs. There was a time, I don't know how long ago, that people totally trusted their doctors and pharmacists and would take what they prescribed pretty much without question. With the passing years and the periodic news reports of the problems with many drugs this has thankfully changed. Too often yesterday's miracle drug has become the focus of 1-800 ads by lawyers for people who've experienced serious problems and even death.
I was a medication nurse in the psychiatric and medical fields for 20+ years and can honestly say that every drug you take has a side effect. The decision every person has to make in regards to taking a medication is this, does the benefit of taking it justify the side effects? Also, using a drug long term increases your risk of health problems.
A typical example--you have acid reflux--docs and commercials and Larry the Cable guy tell you to take Prilosec(or Nexium) and your problems will be over. The reality is that long term use of this drug effects the body's ability to absorb nutrients,vitamins and minerals into your system. Anemia is common in long time users of Prilosec.
I could go on and on--certain prescribed drugs for anxiety and sleep cause dependence and addiction. The psychiatric drugs that I regularly gave out for years carry serious side effects, every one of them! Granted, there were times when the gravity of the disorder dictated that something must be done but little thought was ever given to tapering or considering the long-term consequences. Consider the ADHD drugs given to our kids, they delay their growth and suppress appetite. The U.S. by the way dispenses 85% of the world's ADHD medications, what's up with that?
Doctors through the years have over prescribed antibiotics to their patients and they are now discovering that some medical conditions are resistant to antibiotics.
Again, every drug, every drug, has a side effect, even the seemingly benign over the counter pain relievers--take a moment and read this most interesting article on these pain relievers---
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/experts-warn-against-long-term-use-of-common-pain-pills/?_r=0
If we want to be at the top of our game--we must take control of our health--every aspect of it! Be very wary of pharmaceuticals!
What we are seeing in many of these posts are a common theme that should run through our lives--individuals, more than ever, have to do the study and the investigation before they allow things to happen---don't leave it up to others to do things and make decisions that will not only impact your health but your whole life.
A good reference book I would recommend for anyone seeking to take charge of their health would be----'Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine' (3rd) edition by Murray and Pizzorno. Extremely well researched and updated, it's solid, not faddist. This book can be bought real cheap on Amazon. In my opinion it's a must have.
Today--a beautiful day--there's something about running in the rain during the summer---45 minutes easy with stretching and calisthenics after.
How was your day?
No, I'm referring to prescribed and over the counter drugs. There was a time, I don't know how long ago, that people totally trusted their doctors and pharmacists and would take what they prescribed pretty much without question. With the passing years and the periodic news reports of the problems with many drugs this has thankfully changed. Too often yesterday's miracle drug has become the focus of 1-800 ads by lawyers for people who've experienced serious problems and even death.
I was a medication nurse in the psychiatric and medical fields for 20+ years and can honestly say that every drug you take has a side effect. The decision every person has to make in regards to taking a medication is this, does the benefit of taking it justify the side effects? Also, using a drug long term increases your risk of health problems.
A typical example--you have acid reflux--docs and commercials and Larry the Cable guy tell you to take Prilosec(or Nexium) and your problems will be over. The reality is that long term use of this drug effects the body's ability to absorb nutrients,vitamins and minerals into your system. Anemia is common in long time users of Prilosec.
I could go on and on--certain prescribed drugs for anxiety and sleep cause dependence and addiction. The psychiatric drugs that I regularly gave out for years carry serious side effects, every one of them! Granted, there were times when the gravity of the disorder dictated that something must be done but little thought was ever given to tapering or considering the long-term consequences. Consider the ADHD drugs given to our kids, they delay their growth and suppress appetite. The U.S. by the way dispenses 85% of the world's ADHD medications, what's up with that?
Doctors through the years have over prescribed antibiotics to their patients and they are now discovering that some medical conditions are resistant to antibiotics.
Again, every drug, every drug, has a side effect, even the seemingly benign over the counter pain relievers--take a moment and read this most interesting article on these pain relievers---
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/experts-warn-against-long-term-use-of-common-pain-pills/?_r=0
If we want to be at the top of our game--we must take control of our health--every aspect of it! Be very wary of pharmaceuticals!
What we are seeing in many of these posts are a common theme that should run through our lives--individuals, more than ever, have to do the study and the investigation before they allow things to happen---don't leave it up to others to do things and make decisions that will not only impact your health but your whole life.
A good reference book I would recommend for anyone seeking to take charge of their health would be----'Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine' (3rd) edition by Murray and Pizzorno. Extremely well researched and updated, it's solid, not faddist. This book can be bought real cheap on Amazon. In my opinion it's a must have.
Today--a beautiful day--there's something about running in the rain during the summer---45 minutes easy with stretching and calisthenics after.
How was your day?
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